CuiZen Stainless Steel Dehyadrator CFD-2040CS - Manual (Page 11)

11
Fruit Leather Dehydration Tips
Sometimes referred to as Fruit Rolls, Fruit Strips, or Fruit Jerky, fruit that is puréed and dried
in thin sheets becomes a tasty, chewy, candy-like snack we will call fruit leather. You have
probably sampled the commercial versions from the market, but once you’ve tasted it
made fresh at home with quality fruit, you’ll never go back to store bought! Fruit leather is a
good way to make use of left-over or overripe fruit that might otherwise be discarded.
Making Fruit leather is very easy. Start by thoroughly washing the fruit in cold water
and remove any stems or leaves left on the fruit. Remove the peel, skin, pits, or seeds
as necessary. Then just purée the fruit or fruit combination of your choice, and add just
enough liquid to the blender to make a smooth thick purée. Honey, fruit juice or water can
be used but don’t make the mixture too thin or it won’t stay put on the dehydrator shelf.
With fruits that have a high moisture level little or no liquid needs be added at all.
Since you are the cook, you get to taste the purée as you are making it. It is not only your
privilege but an important part of the process, because if the purée tastes good, the leather
will taste even better! Remember that the flavours and sweetness will concentrate when
the leather is dry, so don’t make it too sweet!
It is best to use a fruit leather sheet designed for the purpose but if not available, you
can line one half of each drying tray with plastic wrap. To maintain adequate circulation
only half of each tray should be covered. If using more than one tray, place the plastic on
alternate halves of the trays in the stack. Remember that the trays only go in one way, so
stack the trays properly on the counter before lining them to assure proper placement of
the plastic wrap.
When drying sticky purées (bananas, for instance) spray a small amount of vegetable oil
spray on the fruit leather sheet or plastic wrap. After all fruit leather sheets are filled, stack
the drying trays atop the base. Dehydrate until the fruit purée is the texture of leather. It
should be easy to peel off of the fruit leather sheet. Wrap in plastic wrap and store at room
temperature. Spices, chopped nuts or coconut may be added to the purée for extra flavour.
For further variation, purée several types of fruit together.
Feel free to experiment with your recipes. Single fruit flavours will work just fine, but
there are lots of various fruit combinations that combine to make flavourful snacks. These
include:
• Strawberry-Banana
• Pineapple-Orange • Raspberry-Banana-Coconut
• Strawberries-Rhubarb • Pineapple-Apricot • Mixed Berry
• Pineapple-Peach • Raspberry-Apple • Apple-Blueberry
• Apple-Cinnamon (use cinnamon sparingly)
• Honey-Cranberry-Orange (cranberries should be cooked)